In all walks of British life, you will likely come across official imagery from the Royal Family. It could be on anything from a letter wishing your grandmother a happy 100th birthday to a seal indicating your Aston Martin dream car has royal approval. The practice dates back centuries, millennia even. Often, the royal seal or stamp indicates quality or significance.
The idea of a royal stamp or seal is, of course, not limited to the British monarchy. You can see the concept in any country with a royal family, usually present in coins. The idea of stamping coins with royal symbols is universally recognized, reflected in the imagery of artworks and royalty-themed games, as well as in a myriad of other mediums.
Yet, the seals go beyond coins, and they are used in official correspondence, to sign off royal assent, and even to bequeath a company with a warrant, signifying being a supplier to the British Royal Family. Here’s a breakdown of the main seals and warrants:
The Great Seal of the Realm
Often known simply as “The Great Seal,” this is the most important symbol of royal assent or approval. It is usually reserved for important documents that the monarch, currently King Charles III, must sign off on. Normally, these are important bills from the UK Parliament, but the Great Seal can also be used to appoint senior members of the clergy. The practice dates back to the time of William the Conqueror in the 11th century.
The Privy Seal
The Privy Seal is the second most important seal, which is used for less important documents. The use of the Privy Seal used to be something of an intermediary step before the Great Seal was used. It has become much less commonly used now in a legal sense, being used for mostly ceremonial purposes.
The Signet
The signet, often in the form of a ring, is – perhaps “was” is a better term – used for signing off royal documents and correspondence. As with the Privy Seal, this has fallen into disuse as modern alternatives – digital correspondence – came to the fore.
Long before he became King, Charles wore a signet ring on his little finger, bearing the crest of the Prince of Wales. The King continues to wear the signet ring on his pinky today.
Coins and Stamps
As mentioned, the most common form of a royal seal you will see today is on coins and banknotes, as well as stamps. Right now, the UK is in the process of easing in new coins and notes with the image of King Charles III to replace the coins with his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II. There will be a period of a few years while both types will be legal tender.
The Royal Warrant
While warrants are often linked to the concept of criminal justice, the Royal Warrant is much more pleasant. It is, in effect, a proclamation that a specific company provides goods and services to senior members of the Royal Family. This can be anything from hairdressing to tea bags. On products, it is indicated by a crest coupled with a statement – “By appointment to his Majesty….”.
The practice has been in the news recently because Cadbury, which is arguably Britain’s most well-known chocolate maker, has lost its Royal Warrant. Cadbury held the honor for 170 years. Around 800 companies retain Royal Warrants today.
The Royal Coat of Arms
Beyond seals and warrants, the monarchy uses different heraldic imagery to signify authority and lineage. The Royal Coat of Arms is the most recognizable, featuring symbols representing England (three lions), Scotland (a lion rampant), and Ireland (a harp). These emblems are usually displayed on official documents, government buildings, and the Royal Standard flag. The latter will fly over any residence where King Charles III resides.
The Future of Royal Emblems
As stated in the text above, many of the customs of seals, warrants, and symbolism are either evolving or disappearing. Britain is not alone in this, as countries with monarchies as diverse as Japan, Denmark, and Thailand have seen changes too. The diminished role of the monarchy in legislation plays a part, making royal seals more of a formality than a necessity.
In addition, there is also a lack of importance from the consumer side. Today, there are eight types of champagne bearing the Royal Warrant, but does anyone really look for it when choosing their favorite bottle of bubbly? Still, the seals, stamps, and warrants are an integral part of the British Royal Family, and that means they are a significant part of British history and identity.
